In the 1990s, India’s Global Capability Centers (GCCs) began humbly as cost-saving hubs. By 2010, skepticism around their role and “captive” identity prevailed. Initially distant from parent companies, GCCs were valued primarily for their cost arbitrage benefits. However, as the Indian workforce advanced, GCCs grew into powerful engines of value creation. By 2024, they are no longer just cost centers; companies now recognize India’s GCCs as essential to global operations.
The Shift to Value Creation
Indian GCCs transitioned from support centers to value creators. Leading corporations like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have moved significant operations from China to India, particularly during COVID-19, establishing India as a resilient tech powerhouse.
The Growth Momentum and Need for Talent Reboot
Adding two GCCs each week, India’s tech talent demand surges. However, with 720,000 annual software graduates, India faces a skill-readiness gap. As GCCs evolve, education systems must equip graduates with the skills for this new digital landscape.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Hubs
India’s tech cities face infrastructure strains, urging expansion into emerging hubs like Trivandrum and Gujarat’s GIFT City. These regions promise high-quality work, dispelling myths that top-tier work is exclusive to Bangalore or NCR.
A Call for Confident Leadership
With over 1,700 GCCs employing 1.9 million, a new leadership mindset is needed. Today’s leaders must focus on innovation and independence, shifting from a subservient mindset to one of confident global leadership.
The Global Competition
India remains dominant in the GCC space, but Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Poland present growing competition. To sustain India’s leadership, continued innovation and proactive growth are essential.
Looking to 2030
With a rebooted talent pool, diversified locations, and empowered leadership, India is poised to maintain its GCC market share—if it remains vigilant and proactive.
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